NEW custom Karate Gis will be available at ZenQuest soon! These are high-quality middle-weight 100% cotton uniforms. They will feature a large color print of the ZenQuest dragon logo on the back. On the front, the left chest will have a full color logo for the Okinawan Karatedo Association, and the school name in gold. These will be phased in as the standard for training in the Uechi-Ryu classes at ZenQuest. Priced at $48 each, a limited number of these Gis should be available sometime in November of this year. New Demian Maia/ ZenQuest Jiu-jitsu uniforms are already available. These are high quality “Gold Weave“ Bad Boy brand uniforms. They feature embroidery of the DMJJ logo on the jacket front and back, and on the right lower leg. Professor Demian prefers to make the Gi available in traditional white only for now. The ZenQuest version of this Gi also comes with two team patches. This Gi is being phased in as the standard for Gi Jiu-jitsu training at ZenQuest, with a date of January of 2017 as a cut off for other Gis. The price for this Gi is $175. These Gis can be purchased or ordered at the front desk at ZenQuest.

ZenQuest was the host of some amazing self-defense instructor training recently. This was for a program called “Girls On Guard” which empowers women with effective tools to counter the most common types of attacks that can happen to them, including sexual assaults. The strategies intelligently utilize women’s strengths and leverage to combat the size and strength advantage of a typical attacker. The two day course was given by renown self-defense instructor Steve Kardian on September 26th and 27th. Steve is a lifetime martial artist, retired law enforcement detective, and regularly appears on national news programs as a criminal justice and self-defense expert. Steve is also one of the founders of the Women’s Self-Defense Institute, which specializes in developing the best strategies possible for women in self-defense. Instructor Carol Ann Williams, who is also a martial artist was amazing in assisting Steve with the training.The physical strategies covered included controlling distance, striking vital areas, and using effective striking techniques from both a standing and grounded position. The course also covered important discussion about attacks on women and elements like “date-rape” drugs. Toward the end of the course Sensei Mark was dressed in a padded suit and each of the other students practiced repelling attacks using the strategies learned. Statistics show that about one-in-four women will experience unwanted sexual contact in their lifetime. The most vulnerable time in a woman’s life is during her freshman year in college, between her first day of classes and Thanksgiving break. However, these types of assaults can happen anywhere, at any age. Robberies, domestic abuse, and other types of assaults against women are, also, all too common. Senseis Connie and Mark were among the seven individuals to receive certification in the acclaimed program. This material will now be included into ZenQuest’s Hybrid Self-defense classes. Special thanks to Steve and Carol Ann for providing such excellent instruction. For more information about the Girls on Guard program or our Hybrid Self-defense classes call 413-637-0656.